Class III Model '94

I recently read an article about the 1894 Winchester turning 110 years old. The author owned a '94 trapper (circa 1952, I believe) with a 15" barrel. With the exception of the Bushwacker made by Wild West Guns, http://wildwestguns.com/ , I've never heard of a Class III lever action.

Did Winchester ever make any '94 Trappers (or any other model lever action) with less than 16" barrels since the 50's?

Does anyone know any of the production numbers of these sub-16" Winchesters or if they were special order guns for banks, law enforcement, etc.?

Like I said I don't remember reading about any of these before in my western history books or magazines; I'm just a little curious.

My gunsmith showed me a 15" Trapper that he said was that way from the factory. He was afraid to sell it. I don't know where he got it. Probably from an estate sale. Quantrill

JNewell

November 24, 2003, 08:37 PM

I am going by memory here, but IIRC several years ago the ATF reclassified a large number of 1892 and 1894 trapper models, IIRC) from NFA AOWs to C&Rs (of all things). IIRC the numbers involved were small but not tiny. I think the real problem is that Winchester collectors prize these and hold onto them -- that and for years they were NFA firearms. How many were made after the C&R cutoff, I don't know.